|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 11 April 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Warahena Bungalow at Yala National Park by Florence Wickramage Warahena Bungalow at the Yala National Park built by the Private Sector at a cost of Rs. 4 million was opened yesterday by the Environment and Natural Resources Minister Rukman Senanayake. following a request made by the Minister, the Ceylon Tobacco Company donated Rs. 3 million. The balance was donated by various other reputed companies in Sri Lanka. The location to site the bungalow was selected by Minister Senanayake after a personal inspection of the entire terrain. While commanding a scenic view of the Menik Ganga from the front and the rear of the bungalow, it has been built across a pathway frequented by poachers. Minister Senanayake decided that the best way to prevent illegal loggers and poachers would be to locate visitor bungalows obstructing their favourite paths. Therefore, based on the concept of enhancing visitor movement by having bungalows and other facilities, the dual purpose of protecting wildlife and discouraging illegal activities has been achieved. Several other bungalows based on the same concept will be built at other National Parks. Warahena Bungalow is fully furnished and consists of two bed rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, two toilets and solar power as well as a back-up Generator, separate accommodation and facilities for the Bungalow keeper and drivers. A maximum of 10 persons would be permitted to occupy the Bungalow at any given time. Visitors who wish to use this Bungalow should obtain prior reservation from the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Private Sector is assisting the Environment Minister in reorganizing, reconstructing and developing other National Parks. The Philadelphia Zoo funded an office complex built for the Kumana Park at a cost of Rs. 1.5 million. A well equipped Veterinary Centre and an Ambulance to transport sick animals has been provided for the Uda Walawe Park. The "Born Free Organization" from the United Kingdom has funded the building of a kitchen for the National Park. Many Sri Lankan companies have stepped forward with assistance in cash to provide facilities to develop National Parks for the overall benefit of the animals, the trees, the environment and visitors. The Environment and Natural Resources Ministry has reached agreement with the Sri Lanka Hotels Corporation to build a restaurant within the Yala National Park. ###### Water sports on Trinco beach From Shirajiv Sirimane in Trincomalee For the first time after 20 years water sports activities would be introduced to the city of Trincomalee adding yet another major tourist attraction. The initiative in this regard had been taken by the new management of the Club Oceanic Hotel Trincomalee. The hotel owned and operated by Keells Hotel Management Services Ltd, (KMSL) has already listed three companies to provide this service to the public. The hotel hopes to award the contract of providing the entire water sports facilities to these companies, which will provide the services under the supervision of the hotel management. "We are hoping to introduce all range of water sports activities to Trinco," said the Director General Manager, Round Trip Hotels KMSL, Sri Lal Mendis. He said that Trincomalee is one of the best locations for water sports and is similar to their Water Sports Center at the Bentota Beach Hotel. "We will be offering the best equipment such as water scooters, banana boats, wind surfing and water skiing. We are awaiting security clearance to go ahead with deep sea fishing, snorkelling, night fishing and diving." After the refurbishment drive which costs the management Rs. 50 million the hotel will offer 56 luxury rooms including air-conditioned beach chalets, a large banquet hall, a swimming pool, a pool bar, badminton and table tennis. Mendis said that the confidence the management had in the peace process prompted them to go in for this investment. "We are hoping to target a revenue of around Rs. 10 million every season." He said that they are also hoping to invest on an additional 100-room property in Trincomalee soon. The Director said that they will be mainly targeting business travellers, NGOs and foreign mission staff, group tours, and local and foreign holiday makers taking advantage of the opportunity to discover Trincomalee and the east coast. "We are organising special excursions to the Pigeons Island, Hot springs and many other interesting places. He called on to the government to re-open the Trincomalee air strip since domestic airline operators are eagerly awaiting the green light from the Minister of Aviation to operate to Jaffna with a stop over in Trincomalee. "This would be another boon to the industry". He said that though the Ministry of Tourism had promised speedy loans for Hotel projects in North East he is yet to meet a person who had received such incentives. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
